Staff Attorney Housing (Hybrid)

Are you passionate about housing justice and ready to use your legal expertise to create meaningful change?

The Housing Staff Attorney will work as a member of the housing team to serve and represent low-income tenants who are facing eviction. This full-time hybrid exempt position reports to the Supervising Attorney.

Responsibilities:

• Manage a caseload of housing-related matters, including eviction defense, federally subsidized housing issues, administrative hearings, negotiations, settlements, trials, and appeals.
• Advocate for affordable housing access through policy initiatives, community engagement, and active participation in coalitions serving low-income and vulnerable populations.
• Represent, advise, and communicate effectively with clients on a variety of legal matters, including client interviews and case strategy.
• Conduct case investigations, witness interviews, legal and factual research, and maintain accurate case documentation and timekeeping in LegalServer.
• Research and write pleadings, memoranda, correspondence and other legal documents.
• Engage in negotiation and settlement discussions with adverse parties and their legal representatives.
• Conduct community outreach and education, collaborate with community partners on policy advocacy campaigns, and support initiatives that address systemic barriers affecting service-eligible populations.
• Direct and supervise the legal work of paralegal and law students, interns, and volunteers.
• Identify wrap-around legal services and work collaboratively with CLA SoCal's various legal units.
• Work with a multi-cultural perspective.
• Perform other duties as required to meet the needs of the organization.

Education:

• Juris Doctor degree and an active member in good-standing of the California Bar or member to another state bar and ability to register as a legal services provider under the Multi-Jurisdictional Practice.

Qualifications:

• Valid driver's license and reliable transportation with the ability to travel regularly throughout the service area to support client representation and community engagement. - Required
• Familiarity with landlord tenant law. - Preferred
• Litigation experience including propounding and responding to discovery, taking and defending depositions, and representing clients in trial - Preferred
• Experience representing client before administrative agencies - Preferred
• Articulate, creative, and passionate advocate with excellent written and oral communication skills, computer skills, and problem-solving skills.
• Bilingual proficiency - Preferred
• Strong organizational skills, initiative, and ability to manage a diverse workload, identify legal issues, and provide timely legal counsel with minimal supervision.
• Excellent interpersonal and client communication skills, with the ability to build trust and effectively serve low-income and vulnerable clients.
• Strong technical skills; including proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Outlook, Excel, PowerPoint, Teams) and document preparation software.
• Ability to interact with a wide range of clients utilizing client-centered lawyering and trauma-informed frameworks.
• Empathetic and energetic attitude while working with others.
• Ability to model CLA SoCal's values and mission - Required

Holistic Benefits:

• May work as little as 35-hour workweek.
• Hybrid Schedule
• 16 paid holidays + PTO (including wellness days) starting Day 1
• Medical, dental, vision, life insurance, and long-term disability
• 401(k) with employer contribution
• Student loan reimbursement program
• Bilingual bonus pay for qualified staff

About CLA SoCal:

Community Legal Aid SoCal (CLA SoCal) is a welcoming and hopeful non-profit organization dedicated to meeting the legal needs of low-income residents and seniors throughout Orange and Los Angeles Counties. We provide equal employment opportunities. We strongly encourage all interested individuals to apply, including people of different abilities, religions, identities, orientations, nationalities, and ethnicities. All individuals who are seeking a welcoming environment who celebrate and value the unique characteristics of every member of the team who believe they have the skills necessary to thrive at CLA SoCal to apply for this role.